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Diagnosing Barrett's Esophagus

An Overview of Diagnosing Barrett's Esophagus

At present, there are no symptoms of Barrett's esophagus. In addition, there is nothing your doctor can see in a physical exam or blood test that can help diagnose the condition. Barrett's esophagus can only be diagnosed by an upper endoscopy and a biopsy of suspicious tissue.
 

Barrett's Esophagus Diagnosis: Upper Endoscopy With a Biopsy

Upper endoscopy is a procedure where a small flexible tube is inserted through your mouth and into your esophagus. This tube also has a camera attached to it, so your doctor can look for problems in your esophagus and stomach. A biopsy, or small piece of tissue, may be removed for further study if anything is found that doesn't look normal. A pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD